ALMOST 20 years after bringing her dream to life and starting a dance studio, Jess Turnbull has hung up the dance shoes and handed her "baby" over to dance teacher Karlee Huges.
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Mrs Turnbull began teaching dance when she was 16 and took over Bathurst School Performing Arts in 2002, renaming it JLD [Jessica-Lea Dennis] Dance Studio.
Ms Huges was already an existing student and remained with the school after Mrs Turnbull took over.
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When her days as a student came to an end, Ms Huges remained with JLD as a dance teacher.
Now, as of Monday, she is a dance studio owner, a dream that she hadn't pursued due to her loyalty to JLD.
"Karlee has been there from the beginning and there is no-one else fitted to take over the studio," Mrs Turnbull said.
"Dedicated, committed and her true love for dance are the attributes which made Karlee the number one choice.
"This was my dream and I feel honoured knowing that I can now fulfil Karlee's dream as her loyalty to myself and the studio stopped her from being a dance studio owner."
During her time with JLD, Mrs Turnbull has created some great memories and friendships that will last forever.
Her favourite memories are the dance studio's trips to America, giving the students and their families an opportunity of a lifetime.
"We prepare them with a 30-minute showcase ... and then we take them over and they perform at Disneyland, Universal Studios and Wet N Wild," Mrs Turnbull said.
"They do workshops at some of the leading dance studios over there and with Disney as well; they do workshops with them and Universal Studios.
"I think that's been my highlight of it all - letting the families experience the overseas travel and making all those memories."
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Mrs Turnbull experienced what life would be like without the dance studio and decided it was time to begin that chapter of her life while her children were still young.
Though she had hoped one day her daughters would take over the business, their passions lie elsewhere and Mrs Turnbull decided to pass it on to someone who would love it just as she has.
"It's time for someone else to enjoy it and treat it like their baby like I've done for 19 years," she said.
"I probably need to mention my parents, who have been there from the very beginning, and I know Karlee's parents will do the same."
Ms Huges said she is looking forward to embarking on this new adventure and hopes to keep the transition as seamless as possible.
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Amy Rees
Journalist at the Western Advocate in Bathurst since May, 2021.
Journalist at the Western Advocate in Bathurst since May, 2021.
